Came for the Low- Revised

Untitled Part 31

"Baba...can I ask you something?" Christine said as she walked out onto the patio. Already lost in thought, she sat a glass of crisp white wine down on the table for her father as she picked up her own.

    It was nearing dinner time, but she wanted this moment with him alone before Abena brought the children in and any chance at uninterrupted privacy went out the window. Ansel loved his bibi, and would soon demand his undivided attention.

"Of course, what is it?" Yonas answered, his thick black brow raised as he glanced at her.

    Christine sat in the lounge chair beside his, leaning on the arm of it as she stared, her gaze settling on the sight of her father's face. A face she had never considered even dreaming of because it had seemed pointless. But now, with him very much alive, it was hard to imagine her life without him. She would never grow tired of hearing his lovely accent or the way he looked at her—like she was the most precious thing in the world who could do no wrong— she desperately hoped thats how he truly felt, because if not, the answer to her question could change everything and so far, everything, had been wonderful, once the curiosity died down of course. Only then had they finally been given the time needed to get to know one another as father and daughter and it seemed they had quite a lot of things in common. From a love for musicals and olives from the jar, to a disdain for social injustice and the need to change the world, which if truth be told scared her. What would he think when he found out her married name was tied to the tragedy of his kingdom? But Yonas had been calm and understanding. He was patient and kind in ways she'd never expected. In fact, once they'd worked out the mystery surrounding his past with Christine's mother, he felt the need to make up the lost time with his daughter in every possible way, especially when taking in to account the reason for Christine being kept from him was based on a failed engagement to someone else, someone he'd never even loved. This was a crushing disappointment, especially as Yonas thought he'd made it undeniably obvious that he'd fallen in love with the incredible woman from America...

    Something very important had been lost in translation all those years ago. But, the past could never be changed. He could only be thankful that Christine had found him when he still had a few good years ahead to enjoy being a father.

    So was she making a mistake now? Christine wondered as she eyed him. Was she about to ruin this relationship that had become so dear to her?

    Taking a sip of wine, she thought about her call from Oeznik this morning and her conversation with the Contessa a few weeks ago. Things were happening so quickly.             She had to find out before their lives changed forever.

    Clearing her throat, she uncrossed her leg and brought both bare feet up onto the seat. She was loosing her nerve. She always tried to make herself small when she didn't want to know the answer to hard truths, but now Yonas was looking at her and she could not pretend she hadn't been the one to bring this up.

    "Do you—do you know who my husband really is?" She was so nervous she blushed, wondering if he could hear it in her voice. "I'd appreciate your discretion if you do, but please. I need to know."

    There, she'd done it.

    Yonas sat up in his chair on the patio. He looked out to see his grandson walking through the garden with the nanny who was holding little Galina in her arms. The years had been kind to the tribal ambassador. He was a man wealthy in land, fortune and family and so it would seem his streak would continue regardless of who his daughter had married. "Yes, of course I do." He answered calmly.

    Christine downed another gulp of wine. "Right" She nodded running her finger over her lips. "Well" She sighed "I guess it's nice that you accepted me already knowing."

    "Accepted?" He looked over at her. "What is this word accepted? Why would you wait for any such thing from me or anyone? You are a strong woman. Acceptance comes from you and you alone. You are also my daughter," He smiled, his brilliant white grin making her feel warm and safe "My child. I would have loved you if you married Kofi the herder."

    Christine laughed. "I'm sure Kofi is a very nice man."

    "Bahhh" Yonas waved his hand dismissing this. "He is an idiot." He said making her laugh harder. "The point is it would not matter. I love you unconditionally binti"

And she would forever love him. "And I you baba...even though Helmut killed the king?" She added quickly, just to check. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth, bracing for his reply.

    Yonas seemed a little less comfortable this time and looked off, his face pained ever so slightly. "Your husband is—not a good man when it comes to his actions, but I see his love for you and the children even as he sits in his prison cell. I cannot hate a man for killing my king but loving my daughter. He is paying for his crimes against us while ensuring you live this good life. That is enough for me now."

    She sat back in her chair and considered herself lucky to have come from a man as rational as this one. "You know, he didn't mean to ki..."

    Yonas held up a hand to stop her. "No more needs to be said. Let me enjoy my wine with you. Let us just enjoy this peace" He said and they smiled at one another.

    Settling back in their chairs, their movements similar without needing to try, father and daughter let this moment be what it was. Openness and honesty between them and the facts spoken out loud that would not change their relationship.

    "No no!" Yonas called out breaking the silence. He waved his long, dark brown finger in the air.

    Christine's eyes went wide and she held back a laugh as the old man moved to the edge of his seat.

    Ansel had started chasing after his puppy and was grabbing at the dogs tail. "Ah! Boy! Do not grab the dog that way! How would you like it if I pulled your tail eh?" Yonas rose up from his seat only slightly slowed by age. He stomped over and reached, hoisting the rambunctious three year old in the air, his own laughter melting into harmony with the little one's .

    Christine watched on lovingly, ever surprised to find herself here in such good company. She was so thankful for the way this had all turned out, but still her heart ached for the loss of the man who made it happen... soon, she told herself.

Soon.

*

The sound of footsteps entering the circle of cells roused Zemo from his book.         He was lying on his back reading and pretended to continue but his focus shifted from the page to the present and the nearing one two of the guards shoes. "A little early for rounds" He said not bothering to get up when the steps stopped in front of his bars.

    "Don't be such an ass Zemo."

    The Baron laid his book on his chest and looked over to find the warden staring at him. "What can I do for you?"

    The man's smile was not kind but he stepped closer "Just be ready. Plan goes as I've said. Our girl on the outside is playing nice and it seems your pretty little wife is just as ready to see your mug as you are to fu...

    "Do not finish that sentence." Zemo warned as he sat up.

    The warden wasn't afraid but he wasn't stupid either and nodded. "You know what to do."

    "I do. Thank you Ross."

    He nodded and turned to go.

    Zemo sat on the edge of his bed and let this news settle. With a smile, he laid back down and shut his eyes, the memory of his wife and son running from him as they played at some silly game at home in Spain so vivid he could smell Rosa's cooking wafting from the house. He could feel Christine's skin as he took her hand pulling her into his arms and the sound of Ansel's little squeals of laughter as he turned to "rescue" his mother pierced the man's heart.

    Opening his eyes, Zemo sighed and picked up his book. No use getting emotional.

    No one had ever broken out of the raft...